Lagos Plan To Generate Energy From Garbage

The Lagos State Government has proposed a new model from energy in its approach to environmental waste management.

According to the state government, Olusosun, a popular landfill that has been a dumping ground for years, will soon become a model for the urban renewal and waste to wealth initiatives being undertaken by the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, while announcing the inauguration of the ‘Cleaner Lagos Initiative’, said the government was committed to finding renewable energy sources for the grossly under served parts of the state’ [Read More]

Why We Replaced Monthly Sanitation With Cleaner Lagos Initiative

Described as new thinking that will revolutionalise solid wastes management, Lagos State government has disclosed a new system of managing solid wastes that  would see to the overhauling of the old order of wastes management in the state starting from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA’ [Read More]

UNEP Faults Nigeria, Others on Non-Implemenation of Environmental Laws

The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), has faulted Nigeria and most African countries for not implementing existing environmental laws.

UNEP Representative, Mr. Robert Wabunoha, made the revelation while speaking at a national workshop on Review of Environmental Enforcement Guidelines.

He stressed that UNEP has worked to support countries on compliance and enforcement dates back to decades’ [Read More].

Nigerian Government Commits To Environmental Protection

The Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, has restated Federal Government’s commitment to empowering Nigerians. Actions to protect the environment to achieve sustainable development were also discussed.

Mohammed said this in Abuja on Friday at an event to mark her one year in office.

She said “empowering people, taking climate action and protecting the environment are at the heart of changing the new narrative and putting Federal Ministry of Environment firmly on the path to sustainable development.’’ She recalled that after Nigeria signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the ministry embarked on nationwide tour to assess the gravity of environmental challenges and interact with the concerned communities.

“At the end of the tour, we were gaining firsthand experience of the ecological challenges facing Nigeria.

“The tour took us to states such as Lagos South West on issues of coastal erosion and urban slums, Imo and Anambra States on erosion watershed.

“We also visit Rivers State on Niger Delta Clean up, Kano/Jigawa in North West on industrial pollution and Yobe and Borno states in North East on issues of desertification.” [Read More].

Proven: Human Activity Affects Weather

New evidence of human influence on extreme weather events – after examining observational and simulated temperature, the research team concluded that there are two separate deadly heat waves. This heat waves occurred in India and Pakistan in the summer of 2015 and ‘were exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change’ [Read More].

 

 

Ozone layer depletion is a serious problem facing planet earth today

The layer of ozone gas is what protects us from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sun. The ozone layer absorbs these harmful radiations and thus prevents these rays from entering the earth’s atmosphere.

Thus, it is necessary to understand its importance and work to control the depletion of this layer.

Nigerians are facing a very serious global environmental problem and there is a widespread concern that the ozone layer is deteriorating. This is due to the release of pollution-containing chemicals such as chlorine and bromine, the effects of bush burning, and the emission of greenhouse gases.

The depletion of the ozone layer is associated with several health related and environmental issues such as skin cancer, eye and immune system damage, aging of skin.

Ozone is a colourless gas which is found in the stratosphere of our upper atmosphere

Ozone in the lower atmosphere contributes to global warming and climate change.

In addition, UV rays have adverse effect on the marine ecosystem. It adversely affects the planktons which plays a vital role in the food chain and oceanic carbon cycle, thus affecting the whole ocean ecosystem.

Also, UV rays affect plants. UV radiation can alter the time of flowering in some plant species. It can also directly affect the plant growth by changing the physiological and developmental processes of plants.

The effects of human activities on the ozone layer affects all of us, including our unborn children. Therefore, everyone must contribute towards reducing ozone layer depletion.

Buying and using recycled products, saving energy, use of public transport amongst other small but significant lifestyle changes, can do a lot in combating ozone layer depletion.

The most important thing we can do is to spread awareness. But ultimately, it is our individual efforts which will go a long way in saving the earth’s blanket. Let us keep our planet habitable for us and future generations.

http://www.7continents5oceans.com/ozone-layer-depletion-causes-effects-and-solutions

 

The ocean is the largest source of food in the world and fish is one of the main source of daily protein

But unfortunately, fishermen are more and more frequently returning home with empty nets.

Some scientists say that in the last 60 years’ stocks of large fish have fallen by 90 percent, and they are warning that we are facing the collapse of all types of fish species.

Overfishing is a form of overexploitation where fish stocks are reduced to below acceptable levels. Overfishing can occur in water bodies of any size, such as ponds, rivers, lakes or oceans. And this can result in resource depletion, reduced biological growth rates and low biomass levels.

Sustained overfishing can lead to critical depensation, where the fish population is no longer able to sustain itself.

Also, overfishing occurs when more fish are caught than the population can replace through natural reproduction.

Gathering as many fish as possible may seem like a profitable practice, but overfishing has serious consequences. The results not only affect the balance of life in the oceans, but also the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life.

Long-line fishing vessels deploy 1.4 billion hooks a year, each with a slice of fish hanging from them as bait. There are trawling vessels that cast nets with an opening of 4 football fields, that’s big enough to hold 13 jumbo jets.

These nets can catch up to 500 tons of fish. Amongst the 500 tons there is a lot of bi-catch. Bi-catch is marine creatures that are incidentally caught, often at large quantity.

Typically, shrimp trawlers throw 80 to 90 percent of the dead marine creatures caught back overboard. It is estimated that for every kilo of shrimp caught, up to 9 kilos of other marine wildlife are wasted.

Many of the fish that are farmed are carnivorous or eat other fish to survive

According to a 2008 UN report, the world’s fishing fleets are losing US$50 billion each year through depleted stocks and poor fisheries management. The report, produced jointly by the World Bank and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), asserts that half the world’s fishing fleet could be scrapped with no change in catch.

To this end, regulatory measures should be introduced for controlling overfishing. Also, creating awareness of overfishing can be effective in fisheries management. Thus, improving compliance.

http://planetearthherald.com/no-fish-left-in-50-years-from-now/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overfishing

Environmental pollution is a major problem in recent years

Therefore, keeping our environment clean should be our top priority.

To keep our environment safe and healthy, we need to control the level of pollution.

Globally speaking, environmental pollution is bigger than we think. In many cities, there are problems with dirty air, sound pollution from traffic and other disturbing noises. The most severe environmental pollution is happening in developing countries of the third world. This is because not only do they lack sustainable management, they also lack basic sanitation system. So, you can imagine how bad the environmental condition is.

Thus, environmental pollution can be described as the introduction of different harmful pollutants into the environment. These pollutants make the environment unhealthy to live in. The most common pollutants are chemicals, smoke, noise, garbage, and waste water.

Environmental pollution happens in many parts of the world, especially in form of air and water pollution. In 2012, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 7 million people were killed by diseases relating to indoor and outdoor air pollution alone.

Pollution of the environment causes great damage to the ecosystem

Also, air and water pollution can cause death of many organisms in a given ecosystem, including humans.

As a result, many developed countries have introduced certain laws to regulate various types of pollution. These laws were developed to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution. Without proper pollution control, environment soon becomes unhealthy.

Preventing introduction of pollutants into the environment is the best way to protect the environment from pollution. To do so, it is important to develop ecological ethics of neighbouring communities, and their effective waste management system such as waste recycling.

In conclusion, we should always keep our environment clean as this is prerequisite for a healthy living. Also, fighting pollution is definitely the best way to keep our environment safe.

http://pollutionarticles.blogspot.com.ng/2009/11/environmental-pollution-definition-and.html

 

 

 

Our chairperson and founder, Engr (Mrs) Joanna Olu Maduka who is also the current president of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering recently conferred the title of Grand patron of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers on President Mohammed Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Engr Mrs Joanna Maduka is the 1^st female President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineers and the 1^st female registered engineer in Nigeria

The investiture ceremony held at the State House on 29th November, 2016, and was carried out by the 9^th President of the Academy, Engr (Mrs) Joanna Olu Maduka MFR, and the Technical Secretary of Nigerian Academy of Engineering Engr. I.K. Inuwa OFR.

Other members of the academy present at the ceremony were the Vice President of the academy, Engr. Prof. Fola Lasisi and a past president of the academy, Engr. Dr. E.J. Amana.

President Buhari during his speech said his administration will heavily utilize talents and skills of local engineers to rebuild ailing infrastructure across the country, describing the engineers as ‘‘competent and cost effective.’’

He added that the well-trained and highly experienced engineers had contributed immensely to the infrastructural development of the country, and they remain indispensable. He also said both military and civilian administrations over the years depended on Nigerian engineers for designs and constructions across the country. ‘‘By insisting that we must be cost effective in building infrastructure, we will utilize Nigerian engineers. I respect them a lot, and I know it takes time to be trained as an engineer,’’ he said.

The President noted that local engineers contributed more than 90 percent to the design and realization of two refineries, 2,500 pipelines and 20 depots in the country during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum in the mid-1970s, adding that the success of the Petroleum Trust Fund was largely hinged on their skills. ‘‘Somehow, every time and anywhere I have served in this country, we found it cost effective to use Nigerian engineers, and we relied on their capacity to understudy, learn and deliver.

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) was established by statute in 1997

It was established as a non-profit and non-governmental institution for the promotion of excellence in engineering training and practice to ensure the technological growth of Nigeria.

The Academy is a national “Think Tank” for Engineering and Technology that provides leadership in national engineering and technological issues by conducting studies and research on relevant issues and making inputs to developmental policies at the highest possible level.

https://www.bellanaija.com/2016/11/nigerian-society-of-engineers-decorates-president-buhari-as-its-grand-patron/

http://www.olisa.tv/2016/11/photos-president-buhari-decorated-grand-patron-nigerian-academy-of-engineers/

 

 

 

 

No matter where we live, forests makes our life possible. When a forest is lost anywhere, people feel it everywhere. We literally can’t live without them.

So why are they vanishing?

Despite their immense value, nearly half of the world’s forests have been lost. What’s worse, we’re cutting them down at greater rates each year to plant crops, graze cattle and generate income from timber and other forest products.

Deforestation accounts for about 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans — like the emissions from all the cars and trucks on earth combined. Forests still cover about 30% of the world’s land area. As of 2005, Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation in the world according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

People need forests

That’s where we come in. When we protect an acre of forest, we’ll help create a healthier, more prosperous, more productive planet, for everyone.

Deforestation in simple term means the felling and clearing of forest cover or tree plantations in order to accommodate agricultural, industrial or urban use. It involves permanent end of forest cover to make land available for residential, commercial or industrial purpose.

Forests are cut down for many reasons, but most of them are related to money or to people’s need to provide for their families. The major driver of deforestation is agriculture. Often many small farmers will each clear a few acres to feed their families by cutting down trees and burning. Forests are also cut as a result of growing urban sprawl.

Not all deforestation is deliberate

Some are caused by a combination of human and natural factors like wildfires and subsequent overgrazing, which may prevent the growth of young trees.

Removing trees deprives the forest of portions of its covering, which blocks the sun’s rays during the day and holds in heat at night. This disruption leads to more extreme temperatures swings that can be harmful to plants and animals. Just like we are experiencing today. Trees also play a critical role in absorbing the greenhouse gases that fuel global warming.

The fastest solution to deforestation would be to simply stop cutting down trees. However, deforestation rates have slowed a bit in recent years.

We in Africa are determined to show leadership. Let us truly lead by example, by using our abundant natural resources for the health, education and sustainable future of current and next generations.

Ending deforestation is our best chance to preserve the environment and protect the rights of forest communities. Most importantly, it’s one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to curb global warming.

http://www.conservation.org/what/pages/forests.aspx?gclid=CNah0tSeutACFcHnGwodtY8EKg

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/

In recent times, the estimated total current investment in aquaculture including hatchery facilities and equipment in Nigeria has risen to about N10 billion (US$75 million). There are about 30 small-, medium- and large-scale intensive, closed recirculating and flow-through systems especially in the southwest and south-south zones where over 77 percent of all fish farms and hatchery infrastructures are located.

In light of the advent of aquaculture as a highly incentivized business venture in Nigeria, it has become pertinent to put into perspective the necessity for the proper disposal or in this case, utilization of waste associated with fish farming. In a world in dire need of environmental solutions, the subject of Aquaponics has become quite popular when discussing aquaculture.

Aquaponics can be described as the fusion of aquaculture and hydroponic operations in a dynamic, natural, closed ecosystem to produce both fish and organic vegetables with little or no harm to the environment. One of the biggest costs in an Aquaculture operation is filtering the water free of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate accumulations. However, when combined with hydroponics, the plants are the sole source of filtration as well as a great source of income. In comparison to hydroponics alone, aquaponics doesn’t require system purges or dumps or expensive chemicals that must be constantly replenished to grow the food.

Aquaponics boasts benefits for both aquaculture and hydroponic operations which in effect, eliminates costly practices in either one. Although it requires some initial start-up costs, once a system is up and running aquaponics can generate a greater variety of food (including the more-costly protein portion) than conventional gardening can.

Products of aquaponics are 100% chemical free (organic) and all natural because Fish waste is used as an input for plant growth so no fertilisers are required. Conventional pesticides are not feasible in aquaponics because they would kill the fish and bacteria, so if needed natural alternatives are used. Aquaponics energy usage is from 70% to 92% less than a conventional or organic farm which use fuel and/or petrochemical-intensive fertilizers. All energy used is electrical, so alternate energy systems such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric can be used to power an aquaponic farm 100%. This alternate energy can be produced locally.

The sustainable quality of Aquaponics is a valuable addition to its numerous benefits. Once an aquaponic system is up and running the main input required is fish-feed. No fertilisers, pesticides or chemical nutrients are needed. Since water is reused through biological filtration and continually circulated in a closed-loop systems – with only a small amount lost through transpiration and evaporation, additional irrigation is also not necessary. Moreover, Aquaponics can easily incorporate renewable technology, thus making it even less energy dependent.

Source: http://kingswayagroservices.blogspot.com.ng/

              

 

Huawei today Nov. 17th, 2016 officially donated 2,000 First Aid kits and 2,000 Umbi cut Kits to the Ministry of Health Lagos state.

The ceremony had in attendance The Honourable Commissioner for Health Lagos State Dr. Jide Idris, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health Lagos State Dr. Mrs. Modele Joyce Osunkiyesi, the Public Relations Manager Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited Ms. Fancy Feng Hongjuan, Deputy Managing Director Enterprise Business Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited Mr Leo Li Feng.

Other officials in attendance were the Director Healthcare Planning Research & statistics, Ministry of Health Lagos state Dr. Olufemi Taiwo, Director Administration & Human Resources Ministry of Health Lagos state Mrs Adebowale Ganiyat Tunwashe, Representative of Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) Mr Jamiu Ajibola Abari, Representative of the Director Pharmaceutical services, Ministry of Health Lagos state Mrs O.I Omolanbe, the Directors of Friends of The Environment, Mr. Ifeanyi Maduka and Mrs. Kunbi Adesokan.

Huawei Technologies made a donation of 2000 First Aid Kits and 2000 Umbi cut kits to the Ministry of Health Lagos state. The donation was supervised by Huawei’s CSR partner organization, Friends of The Environment, FOTE (a non-governmental organization).

The Honourable Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris in his speech, appreciated Huawei’s effort in contributing to the well-being of Nigerians.  According to him, the choice of Huawei’s contribution towards children’s healthcare and birthing care is timely because these were major focus areas for the ministry at the moment.

He further stated that the Umbi cut kits were recently used by the ministry in the sensitization program of the medical outreach. The program was carried out in Ikorodu for pregnant women.

On the other hand, the first aid kits will be useful for schools, medical centers, and emergency care the commissioner added. He concluded by saying that he looks forward to a long-lasting relationship with Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited.

Responding, Fancy Feng Hongjuan, the Public Relations Manager for Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited, said that Huawei was pleased to partner with the Lagos State Ministry of Health on tackling some of the healthcare challenges faced by the state.

The Representative of the director Pharmaceutical services Ministry of Health Lagos State Mrs Omolanbe thanked Huawei in her closing remarks for their tremendous effort especially considering the current economic situation.

She also assured Huawei that the kits will be put to the best use, while reaffirming the state’s drive towards accountability and accuracy in all dealings.

Watch the slideshow video below

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry.

Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices and cloud computing. Huawei’s 170,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers.

For more information, please visit Huawei online at

www.huawei.com or follow us on:

http://www.linkedin.com/company/Huawei http://www.twitter.com/Huawei http://www.facebook.com/Huawei http://www.google.com/+Huawei

The importance of walking cannot be overemphasized

Walking is an exercise recommended and encouraged by doctors and dieticians for both young and old to live healthy. Thus the reason for this article ” problem of street parking”.

Considering the technology advancement, people can be seated in the confines of their room using a smart phone to do their running around. This has given room to high rate of obesity in both young and old. Thus, the need to exercise and keep fit.

Our diets are equally not helping matters because they consist mostly of carbohydrates and fats. Also, some want to exercise but cannot afford the costs of joining gyms and health recreational outfits. Hence, they embrace health walks in their various communities. Some don’t even have the time or will power to exercise. The only form of exercise available to them is walking which is now being hindered by street parking.

Problem of Street Parking

Lagos is a coastal area, surrounded by bodies of water. Land remains a treasure-trove in Lagos and so anybody that has a space wants to maximize its benefits. Economically, this has its good sides, especially for the land owners.

Years ago, residential buildings and offices used to have either a garage or parking space for their guests or clients. But now, the reverse is the case. Houses are now being built without designated areas for residents’ car parks. Schools, churches and shopping malls are now being constructed without regards for car parks and recreational spaces. Thus, what we have now is a state where residents and members of the church now park on either side of the road.  This unpleasant practice is now the order of the day. Pedestrians struggle with vehicles to move on the narrow paths of the road. It also discourages walking on the roads for leisure or exercise for fear of being knocked down by cars.

Recent statistics by Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, reveals that more than 2 million active vehicles ply Lagos roads today.

In conclusion, the problem of unlawful parking has become overbearing and must be fully addressed. A recent study conducted by the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, has shown that a major cause of traffic jam in Lagos is street parking.

More organized parking facilities would certainly help reduce traffic along the largely congested roads. Moreover, it will not only reduce traffic but prove to be a revenue generator for the state. If this is appropriately addressed, it will not only create an enabling environment for everyone to live, it will also improve the state of living of everybody in the areas concerned.

Source: http://globalpatriotnews.com/opinion-addressing-the-problem-of-street-parking-in-lagos-by-modupe-ileyemi/

 

On the 1st of November 2016, Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited made history in Lagos by commissioning the first solar powered ICT centre in a Lagos public school. The lucky beneficiary school was the Wahab Folawiyo Junior Secondary School on the outskirts of Ikoyi Lagos.

The project was developed under the Lagos State government (LASG) “Project 350”, a private-sector driven initiative to build libraries and ICT centres in secondary schools across the State. The Project 350 initiative also involves the creation of online libraries.

The commissioning ceremony…

…was attended by officials of the Lagos State government, Huawei executives, and members of FOTE. The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akin Ambode was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh.  Speaking, the special Adviser said the libraries will collectively serve as an Education Portal. The libraries will also serve as repositories of knowledge in the state.

According to him, the governors vision was to transform Lagos into the most technologically advanced state in the country.

To further buttress this vision, the ICT centres and digital libraries currently under development around the state will be used as training hubs for teaching software coding to Lagos state students.

As the biggest ICT company in the world, and a major player in the ICT sector in Nigeria, Huawei has plugged into the ICT vision of Governor Ambode. As a result, Huawei has identified several secondary and tertiary schools around Lagos where they will either upgrade existing ICT centres, or develop new ones from scratch.

Huawei have defined their corporate responsibility very succinctly. The ICT giants wish to improve the lives of people, especially women and children in their immediate operating environment. And one of the ways to do this is by educating the youths and improving access to information.

It is therefore propitious that FOTE is able to partner with Huawei in achieving this joint vision. In addition to ultimately improving the lives of the children, ICT has become an invaluable tool in the efficient management of the environment.

The Huawei ICT Digital Library at Wahab Folawiyo Junior Secondary School

Back to the digital library, the project was delivered using a 5 kV solar powered inverter system. The energy system is able to power 12 complete computer desktops, an internet modem, lights, and overhead fans. The Huawei sponsored centre also includes 2 split air conditioners.

Huawei also purchased school textbooks to complete the traditional library component of the digital library.

These books were carefully selected based on the state’s curriculum.

The project also involved the complete overhaul of library furniture – computer tables and chairs, reading tables, and book shelves.

An interesting aspect of the digital library involved the use of FOTE-recommended HP pavilion mini CPUs.

 

These diminutive devices perfectly replace the traditional CPUs which use up significantly more energy. In spite of their size, the minis were however configured to specifications suitable for school use.

The Project 350 is a laudable plan by the Lagos State government. When juxtaposed with the directive of the State’s education ministry to teach mandarin in all Lagos state primary schools, it becomes easy to envisage the key role Huawei will play in Lagos state going forward.

This seamless partnership can only bode well for Ambode and the future generations of Lagos state children.

We at FOTE are proud to be a part of this historic initiative.